Written Answers Nos. 100-116
100. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total current and capital funding allocated to her Department; the underspend or overspend under each category in 2015 to date based on her Department's spending profile; the funding made available within and external to her Department's functions to support innovation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30131/15]
View answerThe total current and capital funding allocated to the Department of Social Protection in 2015 and the year to date provisional position to the end of June 2015 is outlined in the table.
YTD position to end of June 2015
|
- |
2015 REV Estimate |
spend |
profile |
variance |
variance |
spend as % of estimate |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
% |
% |
|
|
Current |
19,353 |
9,777 |
9,688 |
89 |
0.9% |
50.5% |
|
Capital |
25 |
12 |
22 |
-10 |
-45.5% |
48.0% |
|
Total |
19,378 |
9,789 |
9,710 |
79 |
0.8% |
50.5% |
The Department does not have a specific fund to support innovation.
101. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department or agencies under the authority of her Department have performed an assessment of the potential savings to be accrued if current paper-based application processes by members of the public were replaced with a fully online application system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30146/15]
View answerMy Department serves a wide and diverse group of customers including families, people in employment, unemployed people, people with disabilities, carers, older people and employers. The Department administers over 70 separate schemes and services which impact on the lives of almost every person in the State. The full range of online services which are currently available to customers is available on the ‘Online Services and Forms’ tab on my Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
My Department is focused on modernising its service delivery platform and developing systems to support new functions, and is committed to delivering on the objectives of the Public Sector ICT Strategy including the strategic objective of digitisation of key transactional services, increased use of ICT to deliver improved efficiency, and the provision of new digital services to citizens, businesses and public servants.
System development projects are in the main carried out as part of business process improvement projects and this includes identifying elements suitable for online services and eGovernment solutions. Many of the Department’s short term schemes such as supplementary welfare allowance may require the Department to engage directly with the customer face-to-face. Similarly, in schemes such as jobseekers allowance and illness benefit, certification requirements can involve more complexity and engagement with 3rd party entities. It is also very often the case that implementing data sharing and data exchange mechanisms with other government departments and offices can provide significant benefits in this regard and this is reflected in the Department’s strategy.
In 2014, the Department carried out an assessment of key transactional services and a programme of work commenced to develop new solutions for jobseekers. This programme includes the development of online services, an online identity and access management service and integration with Departmental IT systems. These new online services will be made available in phased releases beginning in 2015 and will initially include an online appointment service for public service card registration, online jobseeker application and close my claim service, and a facility to make appointments with case officers and deciding officers.
The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Social Welfare Tribunal. The Citizens Information Board does not process applications from members of the public. While the Pensions Authority does not have any paper based application processes used by members of the public it does have reporting and application processes for the regulated entities which have moved online over the last number of years significantly reducing the quantity of paper submissions being processed by the Authority on an annual basis. The Social Welfare Tribunal does not have an on-line application process.
Customer service is at the centre of my Department’s strategies and business. My Department will continue to develop and extend the range of online services in line with the service delivery modernisation programme. However, my Department must always remain cognisant of the diverse range of profiles of our customers and provide application channels that are both appropriate and efficient and at the same time providing value for money.
102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [30150/15]
View answerI confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 26 June 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
103. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 has received yet another review of a child benefit claim following just days after the claim was reinstated; if this person is being specifically targeted, given that the person was subjected to several reviews since 2012; if the error made by her Department in respect of details on this person's PPS number is at the heart of the issue; if the person has been given a full and frank explanation of how this error occurred; if not, when will the person receive this; in the event that the Data Protection Act was breached, if this was notified to the Data Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30180/15]
View answerAs part of the review process associated with the child benefit scheme a system generated continuing eligibility certificate was automatically issued to the person concerned on the 29 June 2015. The issue of this continuing eligibility certificate although it coincided with the claim review referred to had no relationship to that review and had been set to issue in any event as part of a batch issuing to customers paid by EFT. The Department wishes to reassure the person concerned that he is not being targeted or subjected to any different treatment to other customers. In this respect, as a review has already been conducted in his case, it is not necessary for him to return the certificate and the Department accepts his bona fides and his on-going entitlement to child benefit.
On the 3 July 2015 the Department acknowledged the initial error in a letter to the person concerned and apologised unreservedly for the unnecessary distress caused. The Department has not contacted the Data Protection Commissioner in relation to this case as there was no data breach in DSP in this instance and no personal data was put at risk of unauthorised disclosure.
105. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when her Department's annual report for 2014 will be published. [30219/15]
View answerThe 2014 Annual Report of the Department of Social Protection was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22 May 2015, and was published on the 25 May 2015.
The 2014 Annual Report is available for download on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/ar2014.pdf.
106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason those on social welfare and low incomes were due to receive water support payments when water charges were introduced, but must now wait nine months to access the water conservation grant; if funding will be specifically allocated to those on low incomes who fall into arrears; or if alternative arrangements will be made in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30233/15]
View answer107. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost and number of recipients of the water support payments when first announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30234/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.
An initiative was announced in Budget 2015 in October 2014 to assist those in receipt of the Household Benefits Package and the Fuel Allowance Scheme from my Department with water costs. This would have involved a payment of €25 per quarter to approx. 660,000 customers at an estimated cost of €66 million in 2015.
On 18 November 2014, following a review, the Government announced changes to the domestic water charging regime and also provided for the new water conservation grant. These changes were designed to promote affordability for households and assist with water conservation measures. The grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced, as it provides a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will help reduce households' outlay on water services both now and in the future.
The administration and payment of this grant is a significant project for the Department and requires the development and implementation of ICT systems, ICT infrastructure and various customer support and communications services. Development of an on-line application system and provision of ancillary supports including customer support contact centre is at an advanced stage of preparation. Those who have registered with Irish Water on or before 30th June will receive letters from this Department in August/September advising them of the application process and payments will be made in batches commencing mid- September. The closing date for applications for the grant for 2015 is 8th October, 2015.
108. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection given her instruction to her officials to ensure that a neutral wording in respect of payment options is provided on her Department's application forms, if she will also ensure that persons who opted for payment via the bank in the past 12 months are written to, informed of the difficulty in accessing cash from the commercial bank, and asked to consider the more convenient and accessible option of availing of payments from their local post offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30245/15]
View answerIncreasing the scale by which State payments are delivered directly into a client’s bank account is a key objective of a number of Government policies. These include the National Payments Plan, the Department’s Payment Strategy, the Public Sector Reform Plan, the e-Government Strategy and other Government policies. These policies support improved customer service, reflect customer trends and preferences and can deliver administrative savings.
The Department continually reviews its approach to payments to ensure that our customers receive their payments in manner which is convenient to them and is consistent with what channel our customers want. The fact is that the majority of the Department's new customers now opt for electronic payments directly into bank accounts and the Department will facilitate such customer choice where appropriate.
In the context of the above, my department will not be writing, along the lines suggested by the Deputy, to customers who applied for payments directly to their bank accounts in the past 12 months.
109. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to allow self-employed persons pay extra voluntary contributions in order that they will be allowed access to social welfare entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30266/15]
View answerSelf-employed persons who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year are liable for PRSI at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum payment of €500, and are entitled to access long-term social insurance benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory) as well as guardians payment (contributory), maternity benefit and adoptive benefit.
In June 2011 I established the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare to examine a number of specific issues including the issues involved in providing social insurance cover for the self-employed.
In its 2013 report the Group found that almost 9 out of every 10 self-employed people who claimed the means tested Jobseeker’s Allowance during the three-year period from 2009 to 2011 received payment. Therefore it was not convinced that there was a need for the extension of social insurance for the self-employed to provide cover for jobseeker’s benefit.
However, the Group found that extending social insurance for the self-employed was warranted in cases related to long term sickness or injuries, through the invalidity pension and the partial capacity benefit schemes. In this regard the Group recommended that the rate of contribution for class S should be increased by at least 1.5 percentage points, payable on a compulsory basis only.
This recommendation will be considered in conjunction with the Actuarial Review of the Social Insurance Fund 2010 finding that the self-employed achieve better value for money compared to employed workers. The Actuarial Review found that the effective annual rate of contributions needed to provide the core full-rate state pension (contributory), currently available to the self-employed, is approximately 15%.
The Advisory Group considered the issue of allowing self-employed persons pay extra contributions, at their own discretion, in order that they would be allowed access to social welfare entitlements and decided that this could lead to the selection of bad risks. The whole principle of social insurance is social solidarity where everybody pays in and, if needed, cover is available. Allowing people to opt in or opt out could result in a negation of the social solidarity contributory principles which underline the system.
Any changes to the PRSI system for the self-employed would have to be considered in a budgetary context and, in particular, the funding position of additional entitlements.
110. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason a number of seasonal workers in fish factories in the Killybegs area of County Donegal who also have small incomes from additional employment in farming or other activities are unable to claim jobseeker's benefit, as had been the case in previous years; if she will review her Department's approach to these applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30306/15]
View answerIn order to qualify for jobseeker’s benefit a person must satisfy certain conditions. The governing legislation sets out certain circumstances where it is possible for a person to be engaged in insurable employment or self-employment and still satisfy the unemployment condition. One of these circumstances is where the person has what is defined as ‘subsidiary employment’.
Subsidiary employments are employments that are considered secondary to the principal employment. To be considered as subsidiary employment under social welfare regulations the relevant employment should be in addition to the jobseeker’s usual employment. It must have been followed by them outside the ordinary working hours of their usual employment. The amount of earnings or profit from the occupation cannot exceed €12.70 per day. Where the level of eligible earnings or profit is in respect of a longer period, those earnings or profit must not on a daily average exceed €12.70 per day.
The jobseeker must also have a minimum of 117 PRSI contributions paid immediately preceding the date of the claim or in respect of the last 3 complete contribution years.
In general, it would be deemed appropriate to consider an occupation/employment as subsidiary where the above conditions are satisfied and where both employments were carried out concurrently for a period of 6 months immediately prior to the date of claim. In such circumstances it is possible for a person to be engaged in insurable employment or self-employment and still satisfy the unemployment condition.
Every case is decided based on the individual circumstances of the case but in order for individual to qualify for subsidiary employment the above conditions must be satisfied. Where a customer is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer this decision can be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
116. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when this appeal will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30364/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 23rd June 2015, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
